Another tedious request for "is this a good bike" info......

solidstate100

solidstate100

Registered user
Joined
Oct 19, 2008
Messages
3,843
Reaction score
581
Location
......
Hi Chaps

as per title - looking to dip my toe in the Harley soup - have my eye on a 1986 XLH 1100 sportster (apparently they were only made for 2 years pre the 1200 evo) in pretty decent shape and with a whole massive stack of bills to back it up, the only slight concern I have is I am A: somewhat unfamilar with Harley's generally speaking and B: have no knowledge of the 1100 evo engine whatsoever.

This one has about 80k miles on it with no bottom end work done to date (but runs like a top pulls like a champ) but as I say have been well looked after. The bike will be used for high days/weekend bimbles so not looking to go continent crushing on it (have my Africa Twin for that) so is really just a 2nd/hobby bike to scratch the Harley itch.

Is the 1100 evo a decent mill?

(y)
 
I’m no expert on Sporties so cannot really comment… all I would say is make sure it’s cheap.

Also - how big are you? Pre 2004 Sportsters are tiny…
 
Cheers Twizzle - am a fag paper under 6ft and lean like a greased whippet. You pose an interesting thought, I mean just how tiny are they? I had an early nineties iron barrel enfield bullet 500 which was tiny but somehow I fitted that OK and my reckoning is that the bullet is a bit smaller than the Sportster....And aren't they built for fat Americans :unsure:
 
As Twizz says, make sure you fit…and it would have to be very cheap. I had one a “centenary edition”… in fact I’ve had loads of Sportsters…each time I buy one…I remember I’m too big…..CEDFA728-66BF-46F6-AB5A-9C7BC167FC95.jpeg6D321F99-EE72-434A-B70C-535401FE4DCC.jpeg
 
Cheers Doris, nice pics this one isnt the Liberty edition just the standard cooking version. Might i ask how tall the gentleman is and whether he consider himself to be on the larger side or average or whatever - just trying to gauge fitment as am unsure now....
 
solidstate100 said:
Cheers Doris, nice pics this one isnt the Liberty edition just the standard cooking version. Might i ask how tall the gentleman is and whether he consider himself to be on the larger side or average or whatever - just trying to gauge fitment as am unsure now....
Click to expand...
I’m 6’2” and 18 (now) stone….
 
Thats purdy.....my guess looking at it is that it is above my budget (not gonna sub to peruse the for sale section, will just end up spending hours inn the pub getting riled by all the dickhead comments in. there which is one reason I dont sub any more)
Doris said:
It’s on here….in the “other bikes for sale”….View attachment 287265View attachment 287266View attachment 287267View attachment 287268
Click to expand...
Thats Purdy........As its so shiny my guess is that it is well above my budget (Not gonna sub to check out the FSW section, will only end spending hours in the pub getting riled by the dickheads in there lol) but nice bike Doris
 
solidstate100 said:
Thats purdy.....my guess looking at it is that it is above my budget (not gonna sub to peruse the for sale section, will just end up spending hours inn the pub getting riled by all the dickhead comments in. there which is one reason I dont sub any more)

Thats Purdy........As its so shiny my guess is that it is well above my budget (Not gonna sub to check out the FSW section, will only end spending hours in the pub getting riled by the dickheads in there lol) but nice bike Doris
Click to expand...

£4k….

1974 Ironhead Sportster. US import. Restored and moderately modified by the previous owner. I bought this 12 months ago without registration, so I took care of that. Now correctly registered with DVLA as historic vehicle. MOT and tax exempt. Also ULEZ exempt. Kick start only.
I bought it on a whim because I liked the look of it. I’ve not even ridden it as I’m way too big for it and it’s too nice to chop. Selling it as I’ve bought back my old Dyna which is a better fit.

£4,000 to include genuine Harley manual and parts book..
 
Last edited:
I’d buy the bike off Doris because he’s too stupid to be able to lie about the condition and he wouldn’t want to if he was able to.
 
Doris said:
£4k….

1974 Ironhead Sportster. US import. Restored and moderately modified by the previous owner. I bought this 12 months ago without registration, so I took care of that. Now correctly registered with DVLA as historic vehicle. MOT and tax exempt. Also ULEZ exempt. Kick start only.
I bought it on a whim because I liked the look of it. I’ve not even ridden it as I’m way too big for it and it’s too nice to chop. Selling it as I’ve bought back my old Dyna which is a better fit.

£4,000 to include genuine Harley manual and parts book..
Click to expand...

AndyB_11 said:
I’d buy the bike off Doris because he’s too stupid to be able to lie about the condition and he wouldn’t want to if he was able to.
Click to expand...

Well, its at budget, but sadly - right hand shift and kick start only rules it out for me. But thanks anyway, appreciated
 
AndyB_11 said:
I’d buy the bike off Doris because he’s too stupid to be able to lie about the condition and he wouldn’t want to if he was able to.
Click to expand...
I think that’s a compliment……
 
Last edited:
twizzle said:
I think that’s a compliment……
Click to expand...
A back handed one.........best you're gonna get on here unless you have all gone soft/woke!

Anyhooo......I have committed to the dark side, cracked open my wallet and apparently have an ironhead Sportster incoming - 1982 XLH1000 tax and MOT exempt (winner!) didn't pay to much for it, a little tired and needs minor tidying (perfect - just what I wanted, needing a project) had a fully documented and photographed full engine rebuild in 2018, will remove all extraneous eagles/skulls/chrome do dads, gew gews ride free emblems and leather tassels and ride the fucker (y)
 
solidstate100 said:
A back handed one.........best you're gonna get on here unless you have all gone soft/woke!

Anyhooo......I have committed to the dark side, cracked open my wallet and apparently have an ironhead Sportster incoming - 1982 XLH1000 tax and MOT exempt (winner!) didn't pay to much for it, a little tired and needs minor tidying (perfect - just what I wanted, needing a project) had a fully documented and photographed full engine rebuild in 2018, will remove all extraneous eagles/skulls/chrome do dads, gew gews ride free emblems and leather tassels and ride the fucker (y)
Click to expand...
AH….I missed this….. yes, genuine manuals and the Zodiac catalogue…..
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Davy F
This is a good bike, but..............
Replies
18
Views
5,039
Davy F
Davy F


Back
Top Bottom